WELCOME TO RED ARMY MILITARIA:
Orders and Medals of the Soviet Union.

My name is Ed Maier. I began seriously collecting Militaria over 17 years ago. My first pieces, as with most militaria collectors, were those of the Third Reich. As I progressed in the hobby, I discovered that something was missing. It was the story behind the individual decoration. As I continued to pursue advanced degrees in Soviet History, I discovered the the rich world of collecting Soviet Orders and Medals. With each Order carrying a serial number, it is now possible to research the individual decoration and learn the story behind the award. This will open a new understanding of the most devastating war in Human History, the Second World War on the Eastern Front. No matter if the decoration was awarded to a front line Private, Division Commander, Partisan, or a factory worker, each one carries a little historical story about the war. I hope that I can help spread this story to other collectors through Red Army Militaria. No fakes will be sold (and this includes "Wearer's Copies"). Please feel free to drop me an email if you have any questions at elmiii@aol.com. I am always happy to help in any way possible.

Soviet Orders:

$35.00

Order of the Great Patriotic War 2nd Class. All have a solid gold Hammer and Sickle. Serial numbered. Flatback or Concave reverses. Serail #57358, 200516, 474212, 518072, 535889, 556703.

Screwback Orders of the Red Banner of Labor, Red Banner, and Badge of Honor.

Soviet Documented Groups:

$1200.00 ON  SALE

Order and Medal Group to an Il-2 Pilot who was a HERO OF THE SOVIET UNION with 5 Orders, 4 Medals, 2 photographs, Order Book and full research from the Russian State Archives, with great combat citations. The group was awarded to Boris Ivanovich Garin and consists of: Order of Alexander Nevsky (serial #12751, Type 3 replacement for a Type 1), Order of the Great Patriotic War 1st Class (serial #12775), Order of the Red Banner (serial #33519, replacement for screwback), Order of the Red Banner (serial #123144), Order of the Red Banner (serial #182826), Medal "For Military merit" (no serial number), Medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad," Medal "For the Liberation of Belgrade," Medal "For Victory Over Germany," Order Book dated 1 October 1942 with photograph, photograph of Garin in middle age with his Hero of the Soviet Union medal (both the HSU and Lenin are missing from the group, along with a long serive Red Star and a Yugoslavian "Partiz Star 1st Class") and full archival research. As Garin was a HSU, his early variation awards were replaced with correct variations for the time of the Victory Day Parade. Because of this, Paul McDaniel is not able to authenticate or denounce this group. As such it is sold as is. Buyer has a 7 day return period. I can supply as many scans as you need on request. I have had it for about 5 years in my personal collection and am selling it to acquire another pilot group. Garin was a Squadron Commander of Il-2s in the 617th Ground Attack Aviation Regiment. He received his first Red Banner for actions from 16 Feb. to 5 March 1942 when he flew 22 night sorties to bomb Fascist towns and to carry supplies and communications for the Sokolov Partisan group. His OGPW 1st Class was awarded for service during the Battle of Stalingrad where he flew 9 sorties and destroyed 30 tanks, 25 vehicles and killed up to 180 soldiers as the leader of his squadron. during this time, his tail gunner shot down a FW-190. The second Red Banner was awarded for actions from 22 July to 11 November 1943 on the Vorenezh Front, where his squadron destroyed 74 tanks, 151 vehicles, 57 anti-aircraft positions, 189 wagons, 4 locomotives, 9 ammunition depots, 2 bridges and up to 2000 soldiers, while shooting down 15 planes. He personally destroyed or damaged 22 tanks, 1 vehicle, 17 wagons, 11 anti-aircraft positions, 13 anti-aircraft machineguns, 300 soldiers and personally shot down two aircraft (a Ysh-126 and Ju-87). His thrid Red Banner was awarded for action in July 1944 where he flew 65 sorties and destroyed an number of enemy tanks and soldiers. The citation for the HSU is a summery of his wartime actions and reads: "Participated in the Great Patriotic War on the Voronezh Front from 15 March to 27 August 1943 in the psotion of Squadron Commander. A skillful leader, his unit provided 415 successful military sorties destroying enemy equipment and troops in the regions of Kharkov, Belgorod, Symei, Graivoron, Bogodykhov, Akhteika, Tomarovka and others. During the time of their particiaption in military operations on the Voronezh Front, the unit destroyed and damaged: 93 tanks, up to 237 vehicvles with troops and ammunition, up to 45 anti-aircraft gun positions, up to 37 anti-aircraft machinegun positions, up to 4 artillery batteries, 9 ammunition dumps, 4 fuel depots, up to 2 Cavary Squadrons, a division of horse-drawn artillery and 3 locomotives, up to 100 railway wagons with troops and ammunition, up to 27 fuel tankers, and blew up 1 railway brigde, created 48 fires, up tp 300 vehicles with various cargos, and destroyed and exterminated from the ranks up to 800 enemy soldiers and officers. In air battles, the unit shot down 16 emeny palnes with a loss of 3 ot their own crews. Comrade Garin personally flew 98 successful military sorties on the Kalinin Front in a P-5 aircraft in bombing enemy fortification points in the areas of Rzhev, Vyazma, Siechevka, Velikie Luki, Novo-Sokolniki, Mostovaya, Olenino and others. Of the 98 sorties, 16 sorties were deep in the enemy's rear area to transfer ammunition, rations and Doctors to our surrounded military forces of Cavalry squadrons "Sokolov" and "Timofeev." In spite of bad weather during the period of transfering fuel with the force to the area of unprepared embarkation, he displayed heroism and valor as he delivered ammunition and rations to this force in an opportune manner. For successfully carry out the military orders of the Commander of the Kalinin Front, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and the Order of the Red Star (OGPW 1st Class). Participating in the battles to defend the city of Stalingrad, he made 14 successful military sorties in an Il-2 aircraft and destroyed enemy materials and troops in the regions of Sadovaya, Gymrak, Voronovov and others, assisting in detaining the enemy attacking the city. In one air battle over the city of Stalingrad, paired with Senior Lt. Poshkin, he shot down one ME-109 aircraft. From 15 march 1943 on the Voronezh Front, he had 44 successful military sorties as the leader of groups of 6 to 21 aircraft. During the time that he participated in battles on the Voronezh Front, he personally destroyed: up to 18 tanks, up to 30 automobiles with troops and supplies, up to 10 anti-aircraft artillery positions, up to 13 anti-aircraft machinegune positions, 3 ammunition depots, 2 fuel depots, up to 25 ammunition wagons, ingited 10 fires, destroyed up to 40 vehicles with various military supplies, destroyed and exterminated from the ranks up to 160 enemy soldiers and officers. Of the 44 military sorties, he had 12 successful military sorties acting as a "Hunter" on disorganized enemy railroad and motor transport and successfully disorganized the enemy's transportation in the rear, while simultaniously making successful reconnaissance in the tactical rear and main klines of enemy resistance. Especially active, he displayed bravery and heroism in battle during the period of the German-Fascist offensive in the direction of Belgorod from 5 July to 24 July 1943 and during the period of our offensive in the direction of Belgorod, Kharkov, Sym and others. As the leader of his group, he led them exactly to the target and strongly attacked the enemy. He led the group to their aerodrome without losses. On 19 March 1942, while carrying out orders to deliver military supplies and rations to the Cav. Corps, he was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed in enemy territory at night, and with his navigator fought their way into our encircled troops, while supplying valuable information about the disposition of the enemy forces. At the beginning of May 1942, he received orders to help the ground forces attacking the city of Belei. He displayed courage and bravery facing intense enemy anti-aircraft fire. In a group of 6 aircraft, he destroyed an ammunition train, blew up a railroad bridge which resulted in a breakthrough of the enemy's defenses. On 8 September 1942, during the time of the bombardment of the village of sadovaya in the region of the city of Stalingrad, at a height of 1400 meters, he was shot by enemy anti-aircraft fire, and dropped to 15-20 meters without control, before leveling his aircraft out at this height, and attempting to pull his aircraft along the front lines. Before approaching the front line, he was attacked by 2 ME-109s, resulting in the damaging of his oil lines, the peircing of his air system, and his own wounding. Making every effort, he arrived at his aerodrome and safely carried out his landing. On 19 March 1943, while carrying out orders to destroy tanks and mechanized forces of the enemy in the region of Kharkov and Nepokrietoe, he was knocked-out by enemy anti-aircraft fire and wounded in the face. In spite of the blood that flowed into his eyes, he landed at the aerodrome after difficult flying. The plane could not be repaired. On 10 July 1943 in the region of Verkhopene, strong enemy anti-aircraft fire damaged his motor. The flight continued almost impossibly, and in spite of this, he reached the front lines, chose an area, made an excellent landing and after repairing his motor, took off again and flew to his aerodrome. On 19 August 1943, he flew as a "hunter" west of Akhierka and returning hime was bombarded with heavy anti-aircraft fire, which damaged his airplane. Very difficult to fly, he made a landing in No-Man's Land. He and his tail gunner ran to our territory but the plane was destroyed by enemy artillery fire. On 22 August 1943 as a leader of a group of 21 planes, he carried out the destruction of a pontoon brigde across the Vorskla River in the region of Akhierka. In spite of unfavorable conditions on the mission, the group carried out the mission and returned to the aerodrome without losses. On 17 flights, enemy fighters were very active, but with skillful maneuvering, he got out from under the blow, and gave his tail gunner the possibility to fire on the enemy. thanks to the tail gunner then flying with him, they shot down 2 enemy planse and his plane and crew returned unharmed...." He was awarded the title of hero of the Soviet Union on 4 February 1944.

A Cavalier Group of the Orders of Glory, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Class.

Soviet Campaign Medals:

SOLD OUT	Defense of Leningrad. 1,470,000 issued.
"	Defense of Leningrad, with award document. Several to chose from.
"	Defense of Moscow. 1,020,000 issued
"	Defense of Moscow, with document.
"	Defense of Stalingrad. 760,000 issued.
"	Defense of Stalingrad, with document.
"	Defense of the Caucasus. 870,000 issued.
"	Defense of the Caucasus, with award document. Several to chose from.
"	Defense of the Soviet Polar Region. 350,000 issued.
"	Defense of the Soviet Polar Region, with award document.
"	Defense of Kiev. 180,000 issued.
"	Defense of Kiev, with award document. The Defense of Kiev medal instituted only in 1961!
"	Defense of Sevestopal. 50,000 issued.
"	Defense of Sevestopal, with award document
"	Defense of Odessa. 30,000 issued.
"	Defense of Odessa, with award document.
"	Capture of Budapest. 350,000 issued.
"	Capture of Budapest, with award document. Several in stock.
"	Capture of Konningsburg. 760,000 issued.
"	Capture of Konningsburg, with award document. Several to chose from.
"	Capture of Vienna. 270,000 issued.
"	Capture of Vienna, with award document. Several to chose from.
"	Capture of Berlin. 1,100,000 issued.
'	Capture of Berlin, with award document. Several in stock.
"	Liberation of Belgrade. 70,000 issued.
"	Liberation of Belgrade, with award document.
"	Liberation of Warsaw. 690,000 issued.
"	Liberation of Warsaw, with award document.
"	Liberation of Prague. 395,000 issued.
'	Liberation of Prague, with award document.

Decorated Soviet Soldiers.

Soviet Medals:

SOLD	Partisan Medal 1st Class, made of silver. Only 56,000 awarded.
SOLD	Partisan Medal 2nd Class, made of brass. Only 71,000 awarded.
SOLD	"For Valor", Type 1, Variation 3, on red ribbon. Serial numbered. Pre-June 1943 issue. Serial #84569, #344298.
SOLD	"For Valor",Type 2, Variation 1.
SOLD	"For Valor", Type 2, Variation 3. No serial numbered. VG+
SOLD	"For Military Merit", Type 1, Variation 3, on red ribbon. Serial #76219, #98930.
SOLD	"For Military Merit", Type 2, Variation 1 (issued in May 1945 and serial #2561750) with Medal Book issued to a woman: Alexandra Grigorevna Strykova. The Medal Book is dated May 1945 and 7 March 1947.
SOLD	"For Military Merit", Type 2, Variation 1 (serial #1931322) with Medal Book, issued to Nikolai Nikolaevich Bukarev. The Medal Book is dated 26 April 1948. Only missing a small chip of enamel at the bottom of the first "C" in CCCP. VG condition.
SOLD	"For Military Merit", Type 2, Variation 1. Serial #761249, 1433137, 1557672.
Sold Out	"For Military Merit", Type 2, Variation 2. No serial number.
SOLD OUT	Strengthening the Fellowship of Arms Medal. About 20,000 issued.
SOLD OUT	Distinguished Service in the Protection of the National Frontiers. 56,000 issued.
SOLD OUT	Distinguished Service in the Preservation of Public Order. About 47,000 issued.
SOLD OUT	For Valor During a Fire. About 40,000 issued.
SOLD OUT	Saving a Life from Drowning. About 24,000 issued.
SOLD OUT	Restoration of the Black Metallurgical Enterprises. Over 68,000 issued.
SOLD OUT	Restoration of the Mines in the Donbats Basin. 46,000 issued.
SOLD OUT	Cultivation of the Virgin Lands. 1,500,000 issued.
SOLD  OUT	Construction of the Baikal-Amur Line. Over 40,000 issued.
SOLD OUT	Transformation of the Non-Black Soil Region. About 25,000 issued.
SOLD OUT	Development of the Western Siberian Mineral Deposits and Oil-and-Gas Complex. About 25,000 issued.
SOLD	Veteran of the Armed Forces.
SOLD	Veteran of Labor.
SOLD	Veteran of Labor, with award document dated 12 July 1988.
Sold	Distinguished Labor Medal, Type 2, Variation 1. Serial Numbered on the reverse.
SOLD	Distinguished Labor Medal with Medal Book issued to Grigorii Sidorovich Basilenko. The medal is made of silver and was issued on 23 June 1966. VG+ condition.
SOLD	Distinguished Labor Medal. No serial number.
SOLD	Valiant Labor Medal, Type 2 Variation 1 with Medal Book. The Medal is serial numbered "No. 70733. Issued to Kuzma Ivanovich Solovuov. The Medal Book is dated 21 February 1948.
SOLD	Valiant Labor medal, Type 2, Variation 1. Serial Numbered on the reverse with "No." This example has serial number No. 66073.
SOLD	Valiant Labor Medal. No serial Number.
SOLD	Victory Over Germany
SOLD	Victory Over Germany, with an award document
SOLD	Victory Over Japan
SOLD	Victory Over Japan, with award document.
SOLD	Valiant Labor in Victory
SOLD	Valiant Labor in Victory, with award document.
SOLD	20 Years of the R.K.K.A. medal, Type 2.
SOLD  OUT	30 Years of the Red Army and Navy.
SOLD	40 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy.
SOLD	50 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy.
SOLD	60 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy.
SOLD	70 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy.
SOLD	20th Anniversary of Victory in W.W.II
SOLD	30th Anniversary of Victory in W.W.II
SOLD	40th Anniversary of Victory in W.W.II
SOLD	50th Anniversary of Victory in W.W.II.
SOLD	20 Years Long Service in the Armed Forces of the USSR.
SOLD	15 Years Long Service in the Armed Forces of the USSR.
SOLD	10 Years Long Service in the Armed Forces of the USSR.
SOLD	10 Years of the Afghanistan Revolution Medal. Made in the Soviet Union, this medal marks the 10th Anniversary of the Soviet takeover in Afghanistan. The writing on the medal is in Arabic. Excellent condition.
SOLD	Medal "From a Grateful Afghani People." This medal was awarded to Soviet Soldiers and Civilians who supported the Communist takeover in Afghanistan. These have a pin back reverse. Excellent condition.
SOLD	Medal "From a Grateful Afghani People." Same as above but with a screwback reverse. This is the only screwback I have seen.

Soviet Badges:

SOLD	Excellent Cook Badge, WWII issue, VG+ condition.

Awards of the Russian Federation (1991-Present Day):

$18.00	100th Anniversary of the Birth of Marshal of the USSR, Georgi Zhukov. Issued 1996.
$12.00	50th Anniversary of Victory in W.W.II.

Soviet Trench Art

 Reference Books:

$95.00

The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals, by Paul McDaniel and Paul Schmitt. 1997. This 410 page hardback book is simple the best reference book in any language on Soviet Orders and Medal. It is extensively illustrated and lists different Types and Variations of each award, as well as historical information necessary for the collector. Every collector of Soviet awards should own this book. Each copy is signed by Paul McDaniel.

$25.00

Awards of the Great Patriotic War, by V. A. Dyrov, Moscow 1993. Hardback in Russian, 135 pages. Explains the process of the creation of the Orders and Medals of the W.W.II and shows photographs of the earlier prototypes of the awards. Very Interesting even if you do not read Russian.

Militaria of Other Countries:

$350.00

W.W.I US Air Service Uniform, with tunic and pants. Tunic has Air Service patch, air service rating, private stripe, overseas strip, and excellent collar brass. Dated 1918 on inside labels. VG+ condition. Very hard to find. JPGs available upon request.

Links:

Purple Hearts of World War II	A site showing my collection of US World War II Purple Hearts awarded to soldiers Killed In Action. Most have been research in the US National Archives by myself and some have incredible stories.
The Soviet Military Awards Forum	A super site dedicated to the discussion of Soviet Military Awards including Orders, Medals, Titles, research, fake alerts, etc... One of the best resources for information for the collector.
International Electronic Phaleristic Encyclopedia	An excellent site dedicated to the study of Medal and Order collecting. Links to medal pages of almost any country you can think of. (This site is currently off-lione.)
For Valor.Com	A site containing information about several countries Orders and Medals. It focuses on the private collection of it's author, and has a "for sale" page.
German Militaria and Collectibles	A high quality sales listing of German Third Reich Militaria. A very well done page.
The PURPLE HEART: a history and description	A super page about the US Purple Heart medal with information about the history of the medal, different variations, and the numerous engraving style.
NKVD & KGB Home Page	An outstanding site on the NKVD, KGB and MVD with excellent information.
Militaria Online	An excellent site to find information about all areas of militaria collecting. Listings on this site are free.
Orders and Medals of the USSR	A well done site with the pictures and history of all of the awards of the Soviet Union.
Soviet Orders and Medals Database	Another well done site with pictures and history of all of the awards of the USSR.
East Meets West Militaria	A Militaria site specializing in Third Reich items.
Jerry's Military Collectibles	Militaria site with US, German, and Japanese items.
D.A. Drabik Russian Militaria	An excellent site for the collectors of Russian/Soviet uniforms. A great addition to any medal collection.
Bulgarian Militaria	A site with Bulgarian Militaria. Very interesting information about military awards seldom seen in the US.

Contact Me

  Please drop me a line with comments, suggestions or orders at: elmiii@aol.com.

Terms of Sale: All items are 100% original. Buyer has 7 day return period. Buyer pays $4.00 for Priority Mail shipping in the US (overseas orders are case-by-case). Buyer is responsible for insurance if desired. Payment can be made by check or money order. I can accept credit card payments via PayPal.com. Please email me for details.